Government toughens up SC/ST law to protect community against crime

The Union Cabinet is all set to toughen the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, strengthening its penal provisions in order to deter crime against members of these communities.

The draft accessed by Mail Today proposes that common crimes like rape, assault and kidnapping should also be brought under the purview of this act.

More safeguards: Scheduled caste women should now get more protection from crime (pictured is a rally in Uttar Pradesh)

Most of these crimes are covered by the
Indian Penal Code and invite punishment of less than 10 years now. Most
offenders get away with light sentencing despite causing grave trauma
and injury to their victims.

Crimes against the SC/STs have not fallen; conviction rates too have remained disappointing. All that will change now. The amendments also define new crimes and add some more to the list.

As per the draft, obstructing use of common property, allegations of witchcraft, preventing entry in place of worship, social economic boycott and promoting enmity are few of the changes which have been added to the list. These crimes will now be considered as cruelty against SCs and STs.

The new law also defines certain other acts as criminal, and includes them in the SC/ST framework. As of now they are covered under the IPC laws. The new list includes cutting of moustache, throwing of waste in front of SC/ST household, disrobing a person, parading him naked, denial of use of land and water, destruction of crops and denial of forest rights.

The list also focuses on crimes against women. It would include voyeurism, throwing of acid, stalking, etc.

The amendments would also provide for setting up special courts. In certain cases, the new law puts the onus on the accused to prove their innocence.

The proposals also make provisions against civil servants stricter. In cases where a civil servant's conduct is found wanting, he can be booked after an administrative enquiry.

Sources said that this will ensure that cases are properly registered and acted upon by the civil and police authorities at the local level.

Maharashtra Government prefers compensation to justice

By Krishna Kumar in Mumbai

Finding no way to stop the rising cases of crimes against women, the Maharashtra government has decided to offer them compensation. The state government has decided to start a scheme called 'Manodhairya' to provide financial assistance to victims of acid attacks, rape and other sexual assaults.

"The rape victim will be given Rs 2 lakh, while the amount will be increased up to Rs 3 lakh in special cases. While in acid attack cases, if the face of the victim gets defaced or in case of permanent disability, the victim will be entitled to get Rs 3 lakh. The victims will also be provided with Rs 50,000 as immediate relief for medical and related expenses," said Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan on Wednesday.

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He said the state, besides providing financial help, would also provide counselling and medical help. It would also educate the victims and provide them professional training.

The new policy, which would be in place from October 2, will mean that any time a woman or girl gets raped then she would get 50 per cent out of the total Rs 2 lakh on registering the FIR, while the rest of the money would be provided after filing the charge-sheet.

Instead of ensuring that the rape victims get justice by having the accused convicted, the state would be spending crores of rupees.

According to state government's own figures from last year, there were more than 2,500 cases of sexual assault cases against women and children.